What is meant by seventy years in the following hadith?: "If a person fasts for Allah for one day, Allah will keep his face away from Hell for seventy years in return for that day."
Dear Brother / Sister,
The Prophet (pbuh) stated the following according to a narration from Abu Said al-Khudri:
"No one observes fast for a way in the way of Allah but that Allah would make his face for that day as far from Hell seventy years." (Muslim, Siyam, 31).
Bukhari and Tirmidhi included this hadith in "Kitabul-Jihad"; Nasai and Ibn Majah included it in "Kitabus-Sawm".
Keeping away from Hell for seventy years is a metaphorical expression indicating a long time. This fasting will enable a person who goes to Hell to suffer a lighter penalty or to be burnt less. Imam Nawawi interprets being kept away from Hell as not burning that person in Hell. The face of that person can be understood as the person himself. The Prophet (pbuh) states the following in another narration, which confirms this meaning:
"If a person fasts for Allah for one day, Allah will move that person away from Hell like a crow that flies." (Muslim, Siyam, 31).
This hadith is important in that it shows the great reward for a deed that is done sincerely.
When this hadith and similar ones are dealt with, it should not be forgotten that a person needs to be careful about obeying the commandments and prohibitions of the religion. It is contrary to reason and the outward appearance of the shari’ah for a person to think that he can be saved from Hell by fasting for one day without fulfilling his duty of worshipping and without keeping away from sins.
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